FINISHING STRONG IN FAITH

FINISHING STRONG IN FAITH

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 13:11

Key Verse: “Finally, brethren, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” — 2 Corinthians 13:11

Supporting Texts: Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Philippians 3:12-14; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:10; Galatians 6:9; James 1:12; Jude 1: 20-21; Philippians 1:6

Description: Finishing strong in faith means remaining committed to Christ, growing in spiritual maturity, enduring trials, keeping our eyes on the eternal reward, and faithfully completing the assignment God has given us.

INTRODUCTION

The Christian life is not merely about beginning well; it is about continuing faithfully and finishing strong. Many people begin their walk with Christ with great enthusiasm, but the passage of time, trials, disappointments, temptations, distractions, and spiritual battles can test the strength of their faith. God desires believers who will remain faithful to Him until the end.

Paul's closing instruction in 2 Corinthians 13:11 contains several qualities that help believers finish well: spiritual maturity, encouragement, unity, and peace. These qualities are not only important for starting the Christian journey; they are essential for completing it. A mature believer does not abandon Christ when circumstances become difficult but continues to trust, obey, serve, and grow.

Finishing strong does not mean that we will never experience weakness or failure. It means that we refuse to give up on God. We keep returning to Him, depending upon His grace, learning from our failures, enduring our trials, and pressing toward the goal. The same God who began His work in us is able to sustain us until the day of Christ.

1. UNDERSTAND THAT FAITH MUST BE SUSTAINED

Faith is not merely an experience we have at the beginning of our Christian journey. It must continue throughout our lives.

a. Continue In The Faith (Colossians 1:23) — Believers are called to remain grounded and settled in the faith rather than being moved away from the hope of the gospel.

b. Walk By Faith Daily (2 Corinthians 5:7) — The Christian life is a continuing walk of trust in God, even when circumstances cannot be fully understood.

c. Grow In Faith (2 Thessalonians 1:3) — Biblical faith should increase rather than remain at the same level throughout our Christian experience.

d. Guard The Faith Entrusted To You (1 Timothy 6:20) — Believers must protect the truth and remain faithful to the gospel they have received.

Biblical Example: Abraham continued trusting God's promise even when the fulfilment appeared humanly impossible. His faith endured through a long period of waiting (Romans 4:18-21).

2. KEEP YOUR EYES ON CHRIST

Strong faith is maintained when Christ remains the centre of our attention.

a. Look Unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) — Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Looking continually to Him gives us strength to continue.

b. Follow Christ's Example (1 Peter 2:21) — Christ left an example that believers should follow, including His endurance through suffering.

c. Know Christ More Deeply (Philippians 3:10) — Spiritual maturity involves continually growing in the knowledge and experience of Christ.

d. Remember Christ's Sacrifice (Hebrews 12:3) — Considering what Jesus endured prevents believers from becoming weary and fainting in their minds.

Biblical Example: Stephen remained focused on Christ even while facing death. He saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:54-60).

3. KEEP GROWING SPIRITUALLY

Finishing strong requires continual spiritual development.

a. Grow In Grace (2 Peter 3:18) — Believers are instructed to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

b. Move Toward Maturity (Hebrews 5:12-14) — God does not want believers to remain spiritual infants. Maturity requires learning, practice, discernment, and obedience.

c. Be Transformed Into Christ's Image (2 Corinthians 3:18) — Spiritual growth involves progressive transformation into the likeness of Christ.

d. Increase In Spiritual Fruitfulness (John 15:5) — Abiding in Christ enables believers to bear fruit and remain productive throughout their Christian journey.

Biblical Example: Timothy grew from a younger believer into a trusted ministry leader through continual teaching, discipline, and faithful service (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

4. ENDURE TRIALS WITHOUT ABANDONING FAITH

Trials can test our faith, but they can also strengthen it.

a. Count Trials As Opportunities For Growth (James 1:2-4) — Testing produces patience and develops spiritual maturity when believers respond properly.

b. Do Not Become Weary (Galatians 6:9) — Believers must continue doing good even when the results are not immediately visible.

c. Remain Faithful Under Pressure (Revelation 2:10) — Christ calls His people to remain faithful even in the face of suffering.

d. Trust God Through Difficult Seasons (Romans 8:28) — God can work through difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes for those who love Him.

Biblical Example: Job experienced devastating losses but continued to acknowledge God's sovereignty. His story demonstrates perseverance through extreme testing (Job 1:20-22; 2:9-10).

5. GUARD AGAINST SPIRITUAL DISTRACTIONS

Many things can weaken faith if believers allow them to become more important than their relationship with Christ.

a. Lay Aside Every Weight (Hebrews 12:1) — Not everything that is sinful is the only thing that can hinder us; unnecessary weights can also slow spiritual progress.

b. Refuse The Love Of The World (1 John 2:15-17) — Believers must not allow worldly desires to replace devotion to God.

c. Guard Your Heart Against Offence (Hebrews 12:15) — Bitterness can grow and defile many people if it is not dealt with.

d. Remain Spiritually Alert (1 Peter 5:8-9) — Believers must be sober and vigilant because the enemy seeks opportunities to weaken their faith.

Biblical Example: Demas began as a fellow worker with Paul but later deserted him because he loved the present world, demonstrating the danger of allowing worldly attachment to overcome spiritual commitment (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:10).

6. REMAIN FAITHFUL TO YOUR GOD-GIVEN ASSIGNMENT

Finishing strong means completing what God has entrusted to us.

a. Discover Your Assignment (Ephesians 2:10) — God has prepared good works for believers to walk in. Every believer has a purpose to fulfil.

b. Be Faithful In What God Has Given You (1 Corinthians 4:2) — God requires faithfulness from those entrusted with responsibility.

c. Do Not Compare Your Assignment With Others (John 21:21-22) — Jesus reminded Peter to focus on following Him rather than becoming distracted by another person's journey.

d. Finish What God Has Given You To Do (John 17:4) — Jesus could say that He had finished the work the Father gave Him to accomplish.

Biblical Example: Paul declared near the end of his ministry, “I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” His life demonstrates the importance of completing one's divine assignment (2 Timothy 4:7).

7. MAINTAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD'S PEOPLE

Faith becomes stronger when believers remain connected to the body of Christ.

a. Do Not Forsake Fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25) — Christian fellowship provides encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to strengthen one another.

b. Encourage One Another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) — Believers should continually build each other up rather than allowing one another to become spiritually discouraged.

c. Be Of One Mind (2 Corinthians 13:11) — Paul called the Corinthians to unity and spiritual harmony.

d. Live In Peace (2 Corinthians 13:11) — Peace within the body of Christ helps create an environment where believers can grow and remain strong.

Biblical Example: The early church continued steadfastly in fellowship, prayer, teaching, and breaking of bread, helping believers remain connected and spiritually strong (Acts 2:42-47).

8. KEEP THE ETERNAL REWARD BEFORE YOU

Strong faith is sustained when believers remember that this life is not the end.

a. Set Your Mind On Things Above (Colossians 3:1-2) — Eternal priorities help believers avoid becoming consumed by temporary circumstances.

b. Remember The Reward Of Faithfulness (Hebrews 11:6) — God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

c. Look Beyond Present Suffering (Romans 8:18) — Present suffering cannot be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in believers.

d. Press Toward The Prize (Philippians 3:13-14) — Paul refused to live in the past and continually pressed toward the heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Biblical Example: Moses chose to identify with God's people rather than enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin because he looked toward the reward (Hebrews 11:24-26).

CONCLUSION

Finishing strong in faith requires more than a good beginning. We must continue in Christ, grow spiritually, endure trials, guard our hearts, remain faithful to our assignment, maintain fellowship with God's people, and keep our eyes on the eternal reward. There will be seasons when the journey is difficult, but God's grace is sufficient to sustain those who continue trusting Him.

The goal is not simply to say that we once believed, but to be able to testify at the end of our journey that we remained faithful. Like Paul, may we finish our course and keep the faith. May we never abandon Christ because of temporary difficulties, but may we continue until the end and receive the reward prepared for those who faithfully follow Him.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me grace to remain faithful to You throughout my Christian journey, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, strengthen my faith whenever I pass through trials, difficulties, and seasons of testing, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to keep my eyes continually fixed on Jesus, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, deliver me from every spiritual distraction, temptation, and weight that can hinder my progress, in Jesus name.

5. Father, help me to continue growing in grace, knowledge, faith, and spiritual maturity, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me strength to remain faithful to every assignment You have entrusted to me, in Jesus name.

7. Father, connect me with godly believers who will encourage, strengthen, and help me remain faithful, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, remove every bitterness, offence, discouragement, and weariness that could weaken my faith, in Jesus name.

9. Father, help me to keep my eyes on the eternal reward and not be controlled by temporary circumstances, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, give me grace to finish my Christian race well, keep the faith, and fulfil my destiny in You, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall not abandon your faith in the midst of trials and difficulties.

2. The grace of God shall strengthen you to remain faithful to Christ until the end.

3. Every spiritual weight and distraction slowing your progress shall be removed.

4. You shall continue to grow in grace, knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual maturity.

5. Your faith shall not fail when you pass through difficult seasons.

6. You shall fulfil the assignment God has entrusted to your life.

7. You shall not lose your eternal focus because of temporary troubles.

8. The Lord shall surround you with people who will strengthen and encourage your faith.

9. You shall finish your course with joy, fulfilment, and a clear conscience.

10. At the end of your journey, you shall be able to testify, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,” and you shall receive the reward of your faithfulness, in Jesus name.